The Witch's Husband

by LostInTheMystery

Twin brothers, twin problems, are faced with the issues of a food shortage and dark intent that lurks around them. Left alone in the woods, they face death when they come upon, of all things, a witch – in a house made of candy. Is this a blessing to the starving village or is the witch looking for more?

15. Into the Fire

Chapter 15: Into the Fire

Saguru did not know why but he believed she was telling the truth and smiled back. "Sorry I threatened you I just really want Kaito back and... I guess after all this, I did not like that you made me forget what you did forme by doing something tome."

Sharon lightly slide her finger between her hands, cutting the rope off and massaging her wrists. "That's okay. By they way, as long as I can touch something I can usually break it. I'm fairly good at that. If there's somewhere you can't get through, I should be able to. Saguru, how about we eat first and I promise that I'll help you. Magic doesn't just come out of thin air and I think we're both pretty hungry. You did a good job helping me clean."

Saguru frowned slightly, debating putting this off even longer, but if they ate, they could take some to him. He finally nodded and held out his hand. "We can go after but I want to take some extra to him. I doubt he has hand much besides the house to eat."

"I was planning on it." Sharon felt weird shaking her own son's hand but it made her smile. Her eyes turned hard on her husband and the smile turned pointed. "You will not be coming."

Saguru gave her a strange look when she shook his hand instead of using it to stand. It felt weird but if it was her 'enchantress's way' to make a deal, he would let her. Saguru did tense a little at the thought of going there without his father. He could hear him protesting but from the look, it was not working. "Mother, please, as you said, you are unable to do physical magic and what if something happens. I can not carry Kaito and there is no way you could carry him and fight. I do not care about you being a witch or enchantress. Yes I am still sad about you using it on us but I do not want to lose you like that."

Sharon put a hand on Saguru's head, trying to calm him. "I told you, if I end up fighting I will lose and I'm sure that means that something with happened to you two as well, if she has her sights set on you. I will make sure we aren't noticed and it will be a moot point." Her eyes never left Toichi's, even if it sounded like he was worried about her. He was no longer looking at her as if she were the same person and yet she knew she was. "I don't think you trust me."

Shinichi sighed. He didn't mind playing a back a back row seat in this, he had a bunch of questions about magic and witches now that he had one to ask but it didn't seem anyone cared about those kind of answers. "This isn't going to work. You're all afraid." He met Saguru's eyes first. "You're afraid of losing you brother, of what your mom can do, that you'll lose your father again." He moved on to Toichi. "You're afraid of your wife, what powers she has, if Saguru will be put in danger again, if Kaito is already in danger." Then to the witch. "And you don't know how your family is going to treat you anymore, I'm sure that's why you were keeping it a secret. You're afraid you're going to be shunned now, possibly even that you'll lose more of your family than just Kaito by doing anything." He tried to focus on the group as a whole. "And all that fear is making you all stupid."

Saguru bit his lip and looked down when Shinichi finished addressing him. He was right on two points, maybe underestimating even but only partly right on a third. He was terrified for his brother and felt guilty for not trying to get to the basement harder. He also did not want to lose his father, even having him with no memory was better than being alone. Mother, he was less afraid of what she could do as he was who she would do it too. She clearly turned colder to father and he did not want her to turn on him like she had Kaito or when she erased their memories. Maybe that still counted but saying it that way made it sound worse to him.

Toichi couldn't believe this boy, as intelligent as he was, could say that, with that accuracy. True, his boys' safety was higher than anything else and he was powerless to do anything. The fact was that Sharon, his own wife, knew that and could have helped when they arrived two weeks ago but had done nothing, offered no aid to find their boys and wanted them to forget when they learned she could help. Knowing it now, again, he was sure he had to wonder if she truly wanted Kaito found and that second act of abandoning him hurt worse than any knowledge of her power. He was fully ready to tell him that when Sharon started laughing instead.

It was funny. This young child who she barely knew that resembled Kaito a little too much thought she was scared of something. "I'm not scared, Shinichi. I know I don't want to take on this other witch and was hoping there'd be some way to do it without resorting to my rusty magic, but I'm not afraid. She's good. I didn't notice her take them at all before, and while I might be worried about my family now, it's them that have to get over it. My magic could have never tracked down this house as well as you can. I never knew there was a witch so close. Now that I do and now that you can provide me with a location, moving sounds like a great idea. I will admit one truth. I don't want to go alone and I would like you to come with me, Saguru. I didn't want you wearing that thing any longer than you had to. I would have liked you not knowing I can do a few tricks, but they were for extreme cases like this only." Sharon bent down so she was eye level with him. "I never have used magic on you before now, and I never will again unless I really have to, this time telling you since you seem to want to know I have a bit of power. You and Kaito, come with me and let me raise you the way I should have been all along."

"No."

"What?"

Sharon met her husband's eyes. "So you're going to take them from me?"

"No, none of you are leaving." Toichi met her eyes in return. "I am not being separated from my boys again but I listened to what you said and you still love them, I can see that. I said I would clear your name and I will, but," Toichi sighed before offering her a slight smile. "I would want you with me still. I remember what it was like not knowing any of you and as hurt as I am that you did not trust me, I now wonder if it was my fault in not giving you a reason to do so."

"I did trust you. I relied on you to get me through life instead of my magic. I relied on you to help me raise our family. I relied on you to get us through this, even when I obviously didn't do so well myself." Sharon stood up, extending her hand. "My power relies on touch and eye contact. Keep looking at me and let me touch you."

"If that's what you need to prove it, very we-"

Saguru only heard the word 'did' and it stuck with him. He wanted her help but in this case, she really seemed to not like father and he was the one that always tried to help them. He started tapping his foot, hoping mother did NOT know what he was saying. His heart broke at what could happen but he had to do it. When father agreed, he reached forward, jumping to grab her hand and pulling to make her look at him. "I am not leaving father behind."

Sharon was surprise, bending back down so Saguru wasn't making her fall. "I wasn't planning on it." If Toichi wanted to come, he could. She had to smile. Saguru was worried. He was so easy to read. "I'm going to need you to trust me too."

"Can we get Kaito first... I just... so I can trust you?"

Sharon laughed when Saguru's stomach said he wanted to eat first. "I need your trust first. I'm not going to go blindly into something dangerous with mistrust here. Your friend made a good point of that. Fear makes us stupid. Go help them prepare dinner. I'll be right there."

"I guess I am still afraid of losing my family in different ways." Saguru squeezed her hand before backing off. If mother made father forget anything again, he hoped Shinichi would make sure Shuu stopped her like he asked.

"You won't lose us, Saguru." Toichi brushed Saguru's hair back and smiled down at him. "We will get Kaito and have a new home where we can restart our lives."

Restart?" Sharon laughed. "I'm not sure about more kids. How about continue."

Toichi laughed as well. "That does sound like a better word for it."

Sharon stood again, reaching out slightly for his face. "So can we try this again?"

Toichi nodded and reached out, meeting her eye, this time willingly and trustingly.

Sharon held his hand in hers and steadily watched his eyes. She let some time pass, waiting, doing absolutely nothing.

Shinichi watched the husband do what he was told like a loyal puppy while Saguru looked between them as if one of them were about spontaneously combust or something. He sighed. "I'm hungry!"

Toichi blinked and finally looked over at him before back to Sharon. "The boys should have dinner. Shall we?"

Sharon let his hand go. "It has been a while since you've cooked. Why not? Just because I can spell you doesn't mean I will now, so stop looking at me like you were before. I have never done it before now, like I told Saguru, and I won't do it again unless I have to and I'll speak with you before and after."

Saguru felt guilty over the suspicion and slipped away to start working on the dinner, hoping to make up for it in a small way.

"Maybe a while since I cooked for you." Toichi held out a flower to her and smiled. "I did some for the boys so I am not rusty at all."

Sharon took the flower and smiled. "You never get rusty."

Toichi tipped his head and winked. "I'm glad that's not a secret."

Shuichi wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Magic was not his area of expertise by any means and he was better with the searching and figuring out solutions. He stayed for dinner but quietly excused himself to talk with Toichi alone.

Toichi followed Shuu, knowing he had to be wondering about the attack but he would let him speak first.

Shuichi let out a sigh once he was sure they were alone. "Missing children, heck even monsters, I can handle. I'm not sure how to react to witchcraft and this seems like a family thing. Do you even need me here anymore?"

"Kaito is still out there and I would appreciate your help. I want you to follow them, in case something happens. You proved you could sneak up on one and I would feel better if they had back up. It is up to you though."

Shuichi had to think on that. Apparently this other witch was a lot stronger than Toichi's wife and they'd outnumbered her and still he had been more than worried. There'd be three kids in the line of fire, since there was no way he'd be leaving one home all alone. "I guess I can do that. I won't be much help to you though if I'm trying not to be seen."

"I know. But, if worse comes to worse, the kids come first."

"I figured." Shuichi was there to play baby-sitter for all of them. "That's fine. I already set the traps back up so it's not like I could just leave. You and you're family are going to need a good lunch come tomorrow."

"And once we all return, anything you need of me, just ask."

"I don't think that's going to happen." Shuichi lit a cigarette, staring out the window and into the dark woods. "Are we really going out there after the sun has set?"

"Saguru wants to and, to be honest, if she is still going there at night, she could discover Saguru is gone and find a way to disguise the house even more than she has. It was hard enough following Saguru's voice."

"If we get lost, it's on you."

...

Saguru had made sure he memorized the way away so they could find Kaito later. He was sure he made it most of the way when things suddenly changed. He stopped and looked around. "That... is not right." He backed up, looking for the forked oak tree. It was the second thing he had seen leaving the house and it stood out. "Where is the forked oak tree? I know it was within sight of the bramble bush." He ran back to the bush and turned, looking in the direction they had been heading.

Shinichi was having a bit of a hard time getting his baring in the dark. Things looked different and he had to stand still a moment, trying to picture it in the daylight, to try and figure out where he was. "I didn't see it yet."

Sharon was afraid this might happen. She grabbed Toichi's shirt a moment. "Saguru," She called, as loud as she dared. "Come here."

Saguru looked around again, taking another breath to stay calm. He bit his lip and slowly made his way over. "I... I am so sorry. I thought for sure I memorized the way."

"Don't worry about it. You're a lot of help." Sharon bent down and drew the broken bracelet out of her pocket. "I'll take it back off when we're inside. Right now this can lead us back to its source."

Saguru saw his father look at him worriedly but Saguru straightened and held out his hand. "Alright- father, I already promised I would help get Kaito back. Please, let me."

Toichi knelt beside Saguru and rested a hand on his head. "I know. Just be extra careful."

Saguru brightened and nodded. "I will." He looked over at mother and nodded again. "Go ahead."

Sharon put the bracelet over his uninjured wrist, running her finger over the cut she had made earlier, sowing the magic back together. She put a hand on his head. "Everyone, keep contact with someone else, like a chain. Saguru, lead the way."

Saguru waited a moment for everyone to grab each other's hand or whatever before taking a step away from the bramble bush. It took only a few steps before he spotted the right tree. "There it is. It worked. This way." He passed the tree and it only took a short moment more to reach the mossy rock just past that. "There it is. The house." It made him sick all over to think Kaito was still in there.

Sharon held Saguru back, bending down and taking off the bracelet. She didn't know how it could be used against him. "This is bad. I had hoped that you would have still been able to find the house. The fact you couldn't means this witch friend of yours knows what's been going on and is trying to keep us away."

"Too bad for her. She acted like our friend but I want my brother back, no matter what."

"What did I say about who would win in a fight though?" Sharon pulled Saguru behind her. "Stay here, you and Shinichi. Make sure no one can see you."

"I know... be careful. You remember everything about the inside, right?"

"I'm sure your father has if I haven't." Sharon was worried about him. Toichi had no way of protecting himself and her own magic couldn't do anything about that. "If something happens, do as I say."

Toichi made sure to give them a smile and nod. "I have and I will. Let's go." Toichi scanned the area one last time before they headed to the house.

Sharon was careful even if she knew they couldn't be going unnoticed. There was a chance this other witch was out or simply couldn't detect them, though the second she stepped foot in the house she felt power. There's a magic circle around this place. That made sense. Something had to be cast as a boundary for the bracelet. "She knows we're here." They had interrupted the spell a bit just by walking through it.

Toichi nodded, looking for any sign of motion as he made his way silently to the door Saguru had described. He tried the door first, just to see if they could avoid letting this witch know one of them had magic.

Sharon put a hand on his back, narrowing her eyes. There was magic and layers of it literally all over this place. The door had something just as strong and self-contained as the house seemed to have. "It's Trigger magic. The second I disarm it, if I don't do it the way the caster did, they'll be some type of reaction."

Toichi eyed the door and then the rest of the wall. "Is it just the door or can we get through a side way?"

"I'm not sure. I can't see any spells cast under the floor. I do need line of sight. I doubt just the way in would be secured though."

"Candy is easier than metal at least." Toichi knelt as he tugged a small metalworking tool from his pocket and started working on the floorboards.

Sharon watched. Her husband wasn't directly touching the magic until a few of the boards were brought up, leaving the underlying spells far more visible. This witch had been here a while. Why take the kids though? She noticed when he could no longer go through the floor. "Didn't Saguru say something about this house and digging?"

"They tried digging out but could not get past the edge of the building." Toichi pulled up another board and looked down. "I thought trying from within the house may make it easier."

Sharon bent down and put her hand on the door. "No. It's magic. I'll just have to break it... unless you have another idea."

Toichi took a step back and shook his head. "You break it, I'll go down and get Kaito as soon as you say."

That seemed like a stupid sentiment. There was a witch in here. She wasn't holding the spell back, she was destroying it. It wouldn't return. Chalking that idiocy to lack of knowledge, she slide her finger down the center of the wood, feeling the spell shatter like a pane of glass.

Toichi felt himself thrown backwards, landing hard on the ground. The smoke and fire seared his skin but he rolled, attempting to quickly smother the flames on him and looking for Sharon. He spotted her curled up face down near where she had been by the hole. "Sharon!" He ran over, pulling his jacket off and putting it around her.

Sharon's eyes burned. The heat from the fire had been real heat. This person used a true elemental. That meant they were likely dealing with some fire caster. She grabbed Toichi's pants leg after the world went dark and she felt his coat over her. "Hold on."

Toichi paused but his gaze kept going to the hole. "What? I need to get Kaito."

"Don't be stupid. I said she's been active. That means if we haven't run into her yet she's either downstairs or going to ambush us outside." Sharon blinked a few times, rubbing her eye with her free hand. "Just give me a second. I don't like my odds of rescuing two people."

Toichi ripped part of the bottom of his shirt and held it out to her. "OK, your way, just-" He stopped and almost swore when he heard Saguru's voice, muffled but yelling.

Saguru had been toying with his handkerchief when a loud explosion came from the house, shaking the ground. His eyes widened when he saw the fire and smoke. His entire family was in there. He ran, making sure to tie the cloth over his nose and mouth as he did so, going straight for the basement door. "Heeey, are you alright? Answer me!"

Shinichi hadn't noticed Saguru had run in at his heals until he spoke up. Shinichi was too busy looking around. He had seen fire, he hadn't imagined it. It still smelled a bit like char in here. Saguru's parents didn't look so good... but nothing was burned.

Sharon got to her knees, making sure to keep hold of Toichi. "Saguru, we're fine. Outside, now. I didn't disable the magic around the house."

"What about Kaito?"

"Don't worry about him. That Trigger magic was only meant to protect. It would be pointless of it destroyed what it was protecting. Go back outside."

Saguru did not want to leave but nodded. He took a step back, heading toward the door and hoping they would be alright.

Shinichi started towards the door but stopped just outside of it, looking in. They never said anything about not going back inside.

Sharon took a few breaths, feeling hurt but she could see well enough. "Are you okay?"

Toichi nodded. "A little more than singed, but I got my share of burns at the mill. I'll be fine. You were the one closest to it."

"I have it about as bad." She slowly stood, feeling where her clothes had burned in the sudden fire. Her vision wasn't as good as she wanted it to be but she was as ready as she'd ever be. "No matter how I look at it, this will be a fight. Like I said, I can't win. For one, this witch is from a strong bloodline that relies on fire magic. Hers is stronger than mine in every way. The best thing we can do is try and get Kaito out and if one of us falls the other gets him and keeps going. I'd rather have you though than lose you and only get Kaito. We're walking into a losing battle here."

Toichi brought her hand up and kissed it but nodded grimly. "I understand. Ready when you are."

Sharon didn't want to lose either of them, and would hold back on saying she wanted Toichi with her more. She held his hand and forced him behind her, opening the door and finding it pitch black. Fire magic user. Of course she'd find her way better in the dark. Having light would spoil any 'surprise' attacks. Sharon could see magic so that wouldn't work on her and she took a few steps down the stairs.

Toichi stayed close, eyes doing their best to peer through the darkness. He knew from Saguru's count that they were almost halfway down when the door slammed behind them. Before he could turn, the area below lit with what appeared to be floating flames. In the center was a teenage girl and, Saguru had been right, she did look stunning.

Akako peered at her intruders. "Funny, they never mentioned they knew another witch. You're both kind of bothering me though. Can you leave?"

That jerked Toichi out of his thoughts and he had one answer for her. "Not. Without. Our. Son."

Akako shrugged, waving a few fingers in the air as if she were writing something, though in fact it was more like knitting. She smiled when a color appeared around the man's neck. "You were always 'dad' or 'father'. I never did get a name. How about 'Fido' now? Be a good boy and go run along outside."

He nodded happily, wanting to do nothing but follow ever word that was told to him. He turned to run for the door when he was jerked back by something. He whined, tugging and trying to get out like he was told.

Sharon took a few seconds to get a tight hold of the newly formed collar and send a cleaver of magic through it. "That will be enough of that. Did you happen to give him a necklace as well? I have to say jewelry on men was never that appealing to me."

Akako smirked. "I thought it looked great on him."

Toichi put a hand to his head, feeling out of it and catching a hint from what the two women said. He agreed with Sharon as far as the jewelry thing. He hadn't been before, now, he would never wear even a daisy chain.

"It looks like I won't be able to spell you. That only leaves me one choice." Akako held out her hand. "Leave, now, or burn."

Toichi met her gaze and narrowed his eyes. "Where is Kaito?"

Sharon pointed over to the side. "I can't see through it but there's a hidden door, right there. I'm guessing in there."

Akako scowled. "Warning two then. Third warning and I don't even ask nicely."

Toichi followed her finger. "Do you think I can get through it or is there another magic shield?"

Sharon narrowed her eyes. " Hidden door. Only magic can do that. It's not like it's behind a tapestry or something. It's not going to be easy."

"I hear you conspiring over there. That would be chance three." Akako erupted fire all around her, reaching as high as the ceiling. It made her hair curl about her beautifully, smiling as the heat did nothing to harm her. "Kaito's with me now. I'd like Saguru back too but I doubt asking nicely will work."

Toichi held one hand up over his face. "Can you get to the door on your own if I draw her attention?"

"What's the point if you get in trouble and I'm stuck in a corner with Kaito?"

Toichi knew they were running out of time standing there but he was not leaving Kaito behind. "We need to do something at least and you're the only one that can free him."

"And you're the only one who can get us back out."Sharon grabbed him and jumped off the side of the stairs so they weren't face to face with the other witch and she could quickly get to the door. If the girl wanted Kaito so badly, there was a chance they would be fine as long as they had him and the teen could easily spell her husband again once she could no longer reach him.

Toichi felt like he was lining them up to be burned but if he couldn't draw her aim away, he would do what he could to shield his family and get them to safety. He worried there would be another explosion but he hoped that her desire to keep Kaito meant keeping him alive.

Sharon cut down the ward on the door that was keeping it hidden, only to have another one put up in it's place. She didn't even bother turning back as she tore through that was as well, just a hair faster than the next one was put up as well, though not quickly enough she could get in. She grabbed Toichi's hand as she tore down the next few, knowing it took a lot more to cast them than to break them and, as they started to slow, she darted inside the room with him before another could be brought up.

Kaito was tired but he had been hearing noises from outside. The room was only lit with one candle but it was more than the darkness of the past few days so he knew that something had to be going on. He blinked from where hew as sitting on the bed at the sudden noise and light as his parents just kind of ran in the room - both of them. "Dad?"

"Kaito." Toichi closed the distance quickly, moving a hand to check him; relief flooding him to find him unharmed as well. He found the wrist with the bracelet and kept it to the side with one hand, the other pulling him close to his side. "Sharon."

Sharon couldn't see much of Kaito with Toichi engulfing him but he seemed fine and she had more to worry about right now. She came over and cut the bracelet, letting it fall into her hand as she looked it over. "This whole house is magic. I can't cut off the source, which is why I can't simply make a part of it different. I can cut off the barrier now that I can see it though. We have two choice and we have to make them fast. Go back and find a way to get through her and up the door and out - or let me break the barrier on the ceiling and find some way to go through there before she likely either comes in or waits for us upstairs."

Toichi glanced around the room and nodded. "In here. I can prop the bed from the toilet to the wall and we can go up that way." He slid Kaito off and moved him toward Sharon, shoving the mattress off so he could get the bed on its side. It was much like working the ladder at the mill.

Kaito was very confused. He looked up at his mom, wondering if she was fine again. Dad was back so he figured she was. She picked him up and held him while his dad started moving stuff. "What's going on?"

Toichi grunted and shoved the bed toward the toilet. "Yusaku's son, Shinichi, managed to get Saguru out of here. Between them and your mother, we were able to get back for you." He crouched and heaved one end onto the seat, bracing himself to get it up and against the wall. "The longer story will have to wait."

"Get me? I mean, I know why we were trying to get out by why's everyone freaking out? Did something happen?"

"Saguru says you disappeared from beside him over a week ago and he had no human contact until this morning." Toichi let the bed hit the wall and shook it quickly before nodding. "Did you not realize you were taken over two weeks ago?"

He knew it had been close to a week since he'd seen Saguru and figured it was close to two since he'd seen his dad. He wasn't hurt or lost or staying or anything though, and he knew they were pretty safe here. He had missed the light, outside, and someone to talk to though. He nodded to his dad. "Yeah, somewhere around there. That doesn't really explain anything." They looked like they were running from a monster.

Toichi motioned Sharon toward the frame. "Go up first and break it. Kaito, Saguru told me he guessed this but I guess you didn't. That Akako woman kidnapped you and was behind the necklace that made me forget you. She admitted that to us moments ago after she tried again."

Kaito felt as he was put down next to his father, watching his mom climb the bed. He didn't know how his mom could get through the ceiling when he and Saguru couldn't but he was more interested in what else he had said. He had thought that Akako might have something weird to do with everything that was happening all of a sudden, but dad came back so he didn't really care anymore. "Yeah, I thought she might have but that's what people do when they're afraid of losing their friends. What are we running away from?"

"Kaito, she told us to leave or burn and is trying to follow through. If she was afraid of losing you as friends, why separate you and drive Saguru to live on the roof alone? If she had been sincere in friendship, I wouldn't have minded. Kidnapping and than this. It's abandonment and abuse."

Kaito didn't feel like he was abused. He was alone for a while, sure, and he would have liked to go out, but he didn't know how witches did things. He did notice that his dad's clothes were a little burned and his skin a bit red, so he wasn't lying. "I don't know. I guess because she must have been alone here a long, long time that I didn't think she was doing anything mean on purpose. Saguru never likes mean people and he really likes her." This obviously wasn't something he understood but he smiled at his dad. "All I know for sure is being alone is sad."

"Saguru admitted he did but that waned awhile ago. I got the letters with the lanterns and the newer ones were filled with a feeling of betrayal." He hugged Kaito and looked up to see how Sharon was doing with the magic shields. "We won't be alone anymore. Any of us."

Sharon broke the magic easily enough, breaking the floor was slightly harder. She had to hit it and then peel away layers. Even trying to fight against the spells keeping the house from restoring itself as well as those creating the candy to start with, it wasn't that simple.

Kaito knew he must be misunderstanding what that word meant when it came to real life. He knew well enough what it meant on paper. Saguru had felt the same way about mom, a lot, and Kaito had felt bad about it not because he felt it too, but because he hadn't and couldn't relate. The feeling now was the same. Was he stupid or something or just incapable of that feeling? "I'm sorry, dad. It was a little scary without her but when we were with her it was fun and magic and Saguru never smiled so much and I guess because she hadn't hurt me, I don't really feel the same way. Mom was really lonely when you were gone, I'm not sure if you knew. I think Akako is just lonely too."

Toichi hugged Kaito tightly and ruffled his hair. "I'm really glad you're OK and it's not your fault but being lonely doesn't mean you can kidnap or threaten other people. Come on. Let's get you out that hole and we can sort things out."

Kaito nodded. Saguru never got out much and when anything made him smile besides a book, it was pretty cool. He didn't want anyone to take away the fun they had found here.

Sharon slide down the bed, eyeing the door. Close quarter fighting for the other witch was a bad idea and her own was better, so she hadn't been afraid of being snuck up on. "Come on, it should be big enough."

Toichi nodded and grabbed the frame. "Come on, Kaito. Saguru's waiting outside for us and I know he wants to see you."

Kaito had to hold on to the side and try to make sure he didn't slide back as he climbed up after them. This kind of felt silly to him, he didn't feel scared like he should. Maybe he really was broken or something.

Toichi kept one hand ready in the rare chance Kaito slipped but he needn't have bothered. He held a hand out to help Sharon out, squeezing her hand lightly and looking forward to having them all together again.

Sharon smiled, in a way glad that she had shared a bit of herself - though still something she planned on not using again. He almost seemed closer to her than he had been before.

Saguru bit his lip, wanting to follow Shinichi in after he went in again, especially after he heard a door slam. What if his parents were trapped now too? He had promised them a little more time but that ended and he was heading to the door, eyes sharp in case of another explosion, when someone came out of the floor and started toward him. His eyes widened and he was torn between laughing and crying. He did both as he ran to his brother and hugged him. "So glad you are alright. I am so sorry."

Kaito was very confused. "Why are you sorry? What happened? What did you do now?" Did he burn himself again while he wasn't looking?

"I thought you left me and then that you had died in the woods trying to get help and now I realize I was at fault. I left you down there alone, magic or not, I should have tried to get to you instead of... " Saguru looked away. All those times he tried to get away, those dumb, dangerous plans. Only the thought that Kaito might come back just after he did it had stopped him. "I doubted you and I let you down."

Kaito knew only that his brother wasn't making any sense and he was hysterical. Saguru in his head too much was always a bad idea. That's why he kept trying to tell him to come out more. He backed up a bit and slapped him. "Stop being an idiot. I know you didn't really think I had left youor that I had died. You let your mind get carried away all the time. I was behind a locked door - so were you. I don't think I let you down by not getting it open so stop being so stupid and sad."

Saguru blinked and touched his cheek. It was strange but he smiled. "I deserved that but I really missed you."

"I missed you too, little brother." Kaito grinned and rubbed his hand in Saguru's hair. "And I wouldn't have hit you if you didn't deserve it. Deserve it, maybe, possibly, probably. Actually, I might have hit you just for the fun of it."

"Do not blame me if I do the same."

"Just remember older brothers hit harder."

"Younger brothers hit smarter." Saguru smiled back and grabbed his hand. "First, outside. We have real food we brought and the full moon is out."

"Oooowwwoooo," Kaito howled, laughing. "I need mmeeattt." And then he bit Saguru on the arm.

Saguru shook his head and smacked Kaito on the back of the head. "Try that again, I will give you just the peas." He smirked and ran to the door.

Kaito chased after him, laughing. The second he caught up to him he was going to lick him, on the cheek if he could. That would teach him for biting him when he had a tail and then getting to hit him after he returned the favor. "You're not fast enough, bookworm."

"We will see about that, loafer."

Loafer? Did he know how much energy it took to burn off all that candy? Kaito's grin grew as he prepared to jump Saguru instead of just catch him.

Sharon was worried about the witch and everything but she had to stare with a raised eyebrow at her children. "Not scared of anything, are they?"

Toichi shook his head and took her hand. "For good or bad, it puts us to shame. Come on, we can make it back by morning."

Shuichi stepped forward, thinking he didn't need to be hiding anymore if the kids were running around - the brown haired one clearly Kaito as he'd probably laugh if he ever saw Yusaku's son acting like that. "All clear?"

Toichi frowned slightly, looking around. "Where did Shinichi go?"

Saguru froze and looked over at his parents. "He went in just ahead of me. He- "

Kaito grabbed Saguru the minute he stopped running, forcing his hands to the ground and licking him on his cheek, all the way up and over his eye.

"Aaaah, Kaitooooo."

Kaito laughed. "I win."

Toichi turned to the house and looked at Sharon. "I need to get him too. He's my responsibility out here."

"And what's going to happen the second you walk back in there and she makes you think you're a dog again?"

Saguru looked over, trying to wipe his face on his shoulder and talk at the same time. "We can not leave him either."

Sharon had her family right now and they were safe, mostly, which means she had won. She wasn't really willing to go back in there for someone else's kid who shouldn't have been in there in the first place. "It was his choice." She sighed. "But I'm not going to continue with this argument, so what's the point of having it? Shinichi! Come out!"

Toichi headed to the door, looking inside for the boy and watching for any sign of fire. "Shinichi, we need to head back."

"You go ahead." Shinichi was on the floor, listening and getting the answers he wanted from someone that had them. He was a bit confused about some of it but it only intrigued him more. People will talk to you if you're willing to listen.

"Your father will never forgive me if I leave you behind. It's late as it is."

"Don't tell him then. I know my way back." Shinichi had had to stop his conversation to talk back once already and he was getting kind of annoyed and his host getting worried.

Toichi thought he sounded alright, if even a bit annoyed with him, but he had no idea now if Shinichi was himself in that way or not. "He is young and inquisitive, like Saguru. Maybe you can coax him out."

Sharon tipped her head. "With what? He knows I'm going back too."

"My guess is, magic."

"I told you my powers aren't physical. It's not like I can make a light show and get him to come out here. Besides, she'll feel me cast magic in there."

"He might settle for answers, just try."

Sharon didn't dare enter the house but she stood in front of the open doorway. "Shinichi, I think you were interested before, right? You wanted to know about magic? I can tell you whatever it is you want to know."

"I said it's fine!" Shinichi was getting sick of these interruptions. Maybe he should pretend to go back and slip away later. It might at least calm the others down. He didn't want to leave though. "My dad would say it's fine too. Just go back."

Saguru had shoved the food they brought at Kaito to get him off and went to the door, slipping past his parents. "Shinichi, come on. I know this place is great at first but being stuck here is not."

Shinichi didn't think he'd mind being stuck here for a while. There was so much to ask and touch and experiment with. "That's all a matter of opinion."

"Shini-"

Toichi reached out and grabbed Saguru's shoulder when he appeared to automatically start heading toward the voice, much like he did when Kaito was stubbornly refusing to come in at night or something. He was about to tell him that he would go when Saguru kept going.

"It's my fault I did not follow him in. I can get him." Saguru ran as fast as he could. "Shinichi!"

Shinichi took in and let out a breath, getting off the bed and walking to the doorframe. Saguru was way too loud and he wasn't about to let them have another fight over the other kid when he was learning stuff. "Shoo." He waved a hand, trying to get Saguru to go away.

Saguru put his hands on his hips. "I know the house is great but Miss Akako is different. If she finds you before we figure out how to help her like we did with mother, you could be made to stay here too. I can not leave you here now."

Shinichi smirked. "I'll be fine, really. Now get out of here." He had felt more than heard the topic of the conversation follow him to the door.

Kaito was busy with a sandwich and didn't really understand who they were talking to or what it was about but he met his parents at the door with a few bites in his hand left. "Saguru?"

Toichi put a hand on Kaito, making sure it was tight enough that he wouldn't slip away too. He could still hear Saguru and Shinichi talking and Saguru was just in sight down a hall. Saguru's posture would have made him smile if the situation had not been so dire. "He's trying to get Shinichi but Shinichi seems to be more curious than Saguru usually is."

Saguru frowned more and shook his head. "I left Kaito alone by accident, I am not leaving you. We can figure this out together."

Shinichi sighed. "You're all a bunch of morons."

Akako didn't know when she turned into the bad guy or when the kids decided it, but Saguru was here, right around the corner, and she wasn't passing up this chance. She stepped forward, going to put a hand on his shoulder when Saguru instead reached for Shinichi. All she had to do then was pull Shinichi further in the room, Saguru tripping along behind him, as she had all the doors in the house shut and the magic barrier up.